Haier is getting a little help from a friend to boost the energy efficiency of its refrigerators in China. The appliance manufacturer will be leveraging Honeywell's Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent for its low global warming potential of 1 -- 99.9% lower than the common blowing agent HFC-245fa.

Orlando, Fla. -- James Gillula said he expects the United States unemployment rate to fall below 6.5% by mid-year. He cautioned that a slowdown in China could impact the U.S. economy. And he expects the home improvement industry to recoup pretty much all of its weather-related losses from the hash winter.

Those were some of the macroeconomic ideas supplied by Gillula during the 2014 Home Improvement Research Institute Spring Conference held here April 10.

South Deerfield, Mass.-based Yankee Candle is recalling a Candle Ring – Pine Berry product. The candle rings' synthetic foliage and berries are flammable, posing a fire hazard, according to an announcement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The product was manufactured in China. No injuries or incidents were reported.

“Maersk is a global leader in container-industry sustainability, and we are privileged to partner with them on this innovative coatings solution,” said Roeland Polet, Valspar SVP, Global Industrial. “This is an important step, and we proudly put our 60-plus years of waterborne coatings expertise forward as a cost-effective, sustainable solution.”

“What’s going on with China?” is a typical question among North American lumber buyers as they try to calculate the next move in their markets, especially in spruce-fir-pine. Wholesalers ask the question because, unlike those times when their customers are obviously looking to replenish stocks, there is no “feel” for when Asian customers will enter the market to purchase additional volumes. It just happens. Subsequently, lumber availability can dry up in a matter of minutes, and prices can leap when they appear most vulnerable.

“What’s going on with China?” is a typical question among North American lumber buyers as they try to calculate the next move in their markets, especially in spruce-fir-pine. Wholesalers ask the question because, unlike those times when their customers are obviously looking to replenish stocks, there is no “feel” for when Asian customers will enter the market to purchase additional volumes. It just happens. Subsequently, lumber availability can dry up in a matter of minutes, and prices can leap when they appear most vulnerable.

The Toro Company has completed its acquisition of Xiamen Xiangfeng Water Saving Equipment Co., Ltd., a Xiamen City-based irrigation products manufacturer.

The strategic move seeks to strengthen Toro's position in China, which is a major growth market for micro irrigation. The company also recently built a micro irrigation manufacturing facility in Romania.

Whirlpool has entered into agreements to become a majority shareholder in Hefei Rongshida Sanyo Electric Co., a leading home appliances manufacturer based in Hefei, China.

Through this transaction, a Whirlpool subsidiary will acquire all shares currently owned by Sanyo Electric Co. and Sanyo Electric Co. (China), and purchase new Hefei Sanyo shares via a private placement.

Is there a clear way out of your building in case of an emergency? Do you know where all the exits are in case your first choice is blocked or too crowded?

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a national memorandum on exit routes, directing inspectors to carefully examine whether employers have provided and maintained an adequate means of exit from work areas, the agency announced on June 17, 2013.

The market for LED lighting is expected to double, from 16 million units in 2012 to a forecasted 33 million in 2013, and will nearly triple by 2016, according to the NPD DisplaySearch “LED Lighting Market and Forecast Report.”